A post mortem examination of the body found near Swanage yesterday has taken place.

Dorset Police released a statement saying: "Although the body has yet to be formally identified, officers are confident that it is Gaia and her family is being supported by specially-trained officers."

Detective Superintendent Paul Kessell, of Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “The post-mortem examination has not identified any injuries to suggest any other person was involved in her death. The cause of death is undetermined pending toxicology.

“The coroner is involved in the oversight of these examinations but at this time this remains an investigation into an unexplained death.

“We would like to take this further opportunity to pass our thoughts to Gaia’s family who we continue to support and who ask for respect of their privacy at this incredibly stressful time.

“Once again I would like to pass our thanks to the public volunteers and partner organisations who have supported this inquiry throughout and have been material in locating Gaia.

Time Line

Gaia Pope - a timeline of how the search for Dorset teenager unfolded

Tuesday, November 7 - 3.45pm - The last sighting

This was the last time Gaia Pope, 19, of Langton Matravers in Dorset, was seen for certain. The sighting was in Swanage on Morrison Road.

Wednesday, November 8 - Searches begin and police appeal launched

The first police appeal is published about Gaia's disappearance.

She was described as white, 5 ft 7 in tall, of medium build and with long, mousey blonde hair.

Police added they were concerned for her welfare and were conducting searches in the Purbeck area.

Thursday, November 9 - Family 'frantic with worry'

Gaia's family issue a statement via the police to say they are "frantic with worry".

They said: "We are all frantic with worry Gaia and are desperate to know you are ok. You are not in any trouble and we just want to know you are somewhere safe. Please get in touch with someone to let us know where you are so we can help you.”

Later that day it emerges more than 3,000 people have joined a Facebook group entitled 'Find Gaia' to coordinate volunteers searching for her.

A crowdfunding campaign is also launched to raise money for publicity and quickly raises £700.

Concerns grow for Gaia, who suffers with severe epilepsy.

Friday, November 10 - Family on 'terrible' ordeal and CCTV images released

Some details are clarified about Gaia's disappearance.

She'd been staying at an address in Manor Gardens on Morrison Road in Swanage.

A description of what she was wearing when she disappeared was updated - it's thought she was wearing a red checked shirt with white buttons, grey and white woven leggings and white trainers.

Searches have involved the coastguard and police helicopter. Volunteers have scoured sites from Weymouth to Salisbury in the hunt for her.

On Friday afternoon, vehicle stop checks took place and her family published another plea for help in finding her.

Gaia's cousin Mya told Somerset Live:"It's been terrible and very surreal. The search is scaling up, not scaling down."

Mya also revealed how Gaia's epilepsy affects her on a day to day basis and repeated the family's message to her - that she's not in trouble and they just want to know she's safe.

Then, on Friday evening, police released CCTV footage of Gaia running along a pavement in Swanage shortly before she disappeared.

Saturday, November 11 - Dad makes emotional plea

Gaia's dad made her heartfelt plea for her to come home on social media.

He wrote: "This is Richard, Gaia's Dad.

"First time I have posted as have not felt I could add much to what everyone has already said, and been busy keeping an eye on Maya, Gaia's twin, who is distraught, and also on Uncle Jon's place in Bournemouth in case Gaia turns up there.

"On behalf of me and Gaia's mum, a huge thanks to everyone for all your kind and generous help. Police and volunteers, and anyone else who has been seeking Gaia.

Reports on social media and in national newspapers suggest officers seized a car as part of the investigation.

Somerset Live asked Dorset Police to confirm this but they did not have any comment to make.

Meanwhile Gaia's father made another touching appeal on ITV, while police officers began searching a lake near Swanage.

2.35pm - Police confirm find of woman's clothes in a field north of the coastal path. A cordon is in place in the area

By 4.30pm police announce another arrest has been made - a man, known to Gaia, aged 49

Friday, November 17 - Family calls for massive search

The family of Gaia Pope took the search for the missing teenager into their own hands with a public call to join them of a mass search of Swanage.

The day after detectives investigating the disappearance of 19-year-old Gaia released a third person under investigation, the search was called for in an effort to find fresh clues about her whereabouts.

Saturday, November 18, 3pm - A body is found

This discovery was made at around 3pm by specialist search teams near the coastal path and the field where items of her clothing were located on Thursday (November 16).

Detective Superintendent Paul Kessell, of Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “Although the body has yet to be formally identified, we are confident that we have found Gaia."

Saturday, November 18, 6pm - Tributes pour in

After the sad news that Dorset Police were "confident" that they had found the body of missing teen, Gaia Pope, her sister has paid an emotional tribute.

The sister of Gaia Pope has described the teenager as the "absolute light of my life" as her family were coming to terms with the news.

Sunday, November 19, 6pm - Police releases details of post mortem

A post mortem examination of the body found near Swanage yesterday has taken place.

Dorset Police released a statement saying: "Although the body has yet to be formally identified, officers are confident that it is Gaia and her family is being supported by specially-trained officers."

Monday, November 20, 11am - Three people originally arrested released without further action

A spokesman for the force said: “The three people arrested have this morning (November 20) been released from police investigation without any further action.”

The three people arrested were two men aged 19 and 49 and a 71-year-old woman, all from Swanage, and all of whom were known to Gaia.

Gaia's parents paid tribute to their "beautiful bird" on national television.

“The area where the body was located is likely to remain cordoned off for some time while forensic examinations and searches are concluded.

“Please can I ask that the public no longer attend to assist with searches and that they remain a safe distance from the location. I reiterate this area is steep and slippery in an exposed area close to sea cliffs. The area is covered in dense undergrowth and gorse and can present a hazard. Only specially-trained search and forensic teams are entering the area, assisted by Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service recovery teams.”

At around 3pm yesterday, Saturday November 18 2017, specialist search teams discovered the body of a woman near the coastal path and the field where items of her clothing were located on Thursday November 16 near Swanage.

Gaia's family is issuing their thanks to the Find Gaia volunteer group for all their hard work and unwavering support.

Two men aged 19 and 49 and a 71-year-old woman, all from Swanage and known to Gaia, were arrested on suspicion of murder earlier this week and have been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

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